1997 and 1998 Rhode Island Legislation

This list describes ways in which the actions of the General Assembly, working in conjunction with the Executive branch, support Safe and Healthy Lives in Safe and Healthy Communities.

ASSURES QUALITY OF CARE

Establishes a health care quality program, including a steering committee, to be developed by the Director, first for hospitals, then for additional facility categories. (98 S 2282 Sub A) Public Law 98-92
Clarifies protection of confidential client/pharmacist communication by adding "pharmacist" to the definition of Health Care Provider. (98 H 7697 Sub A as amended) Public Law 98-167
Establishes an orderly process and standards for review and approval of hospital conversions that ensures the provision of charity care and community benefits. (97 H 6668 Sub B as amended) Public Law 97-372
Establishes whistle blower protection for physicians and other medical service providers if they report a violation of a subscriber agreement, law, rule or regulation by an insurer. (97 H 6271 as amended) Public Law 97-167

INCREASES CONSUMER PROTECTION

Assures nursing home residents the opportunity to identify up to five persons as immediate family (98 H 8066 Sub A as amended) Public Law 98-335
Upgrades qualification to be an administrator of a residential care/assisted living facility to include English and certain training. (98 S 2313 as amended and 98 H 7446 Sub A as amended) Public Laws 98-372 and 98-388
Improves and ensures quality of care and services to home care patients by requiring provision of a written notice of rights of patients and clients prior to giving care. (98 S 2307 as amended and 98 H 7467 Sub A) Public Laws 98-426 and 98-452
Makes available to the public a physician’s profile containing information regarding training, hospital privileges, malpractice judgement comparisons and other topics. (97 H 6224 Sub A as amended) Public Law 97-348
Enables patents and their families to identify providers by requiring those treating, examining or observing a patient at a health care facility to wear a photo ID badge. (97 H 5822 as amended) Public Law 97-306

PROTECTS AND ENHANCES ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Prohibits usage of genetic testing results by health insurers and HMOs to influence initial issuance or renewal of a health insurance policy or contract. (98 H 7590 Sub A as amended) Public Law 98-380
Requires health care facilities to disclose all other licensed and/or certified facilities or providers to help clients choose a residential care and assisted living facility. (98 S 2400 and 98 H 7819) Public Laws 98-373 and 98-396
Allows dental hygienists to work with dentists to provide school dental screenings. (98 S 2476 as amended) Public Law 98-88
Allows access to OB/GYN minimum services without requiring a referral from a primary care provider. (97 H 6254 Sub A) Public Law 97-166
Permits patients to have their pharmacy refills dispensed from other than the originating pharmacy as long as both pharmacies are licensed and in the same network, and appropriate verifications and provisions for confidentiality are made. (97 S 306 Sub A and S 321 Sub A) Public Laws 97-143 and 97-144

ADDRESSES SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Reduces the charge for possession of needles and syringes from a felony to a misdemeanor and adds the option to mandate education upon conviction. (98 S 2477) Public Law 98-264
Makes the ENCORE pilot program (needle exchange and harm reduction) a permanent program and adds a specific evaluation component. (97 S 376 and 97 H 5892 as amended) Public Laws 97-213 and 97-309

IMPROVES HEALTH FOR CHILDREN, WOMEN AND THE ELDERLY

Allows students to carry their own prescription inhalers while in school or at school sponsored events. (98 H 7285 as amended) Public Law 98-146
Makes meningitis vaccine available to all eligible children on a voluntary basis. (98 H 7199 Sub B) Public Law 98-34
Requires bicycle helmets for riders up to age sixteen. (98 H 8952 as amended) Public Law 98-28
Protects breast feeding in public from consideration as a public nuisance. (98 S 2319 and 98 H 8103) Public Laws 98-124 and 98-301
Directs the Department to establish a program to educate the public on the prevention, causes, risk factors, detection and treatment of osteoporosis. (97 H 5774) Public Law 97-265
Requires child passenger restraints for children up to age five and stipulates that these children must ride in the back seat for safety. (97 S 231 as amended) Public Law 97-99

DECREASES DISPARITIES IN THE HEALTH STATUS OF RHODE ISLANDERS

Increases support for Minority Health community-based programs in the FY 1999 appropriations act.
Allows the appropriate courts to detain persons with tuberculosis who will not accept treatment and are a danger to the public health in an out of state facility by ratifying the New England Compact on Involuntary Detention for Tuberculosis Control. (97 H 6122 Sub A and 97 S 388 as amended ) Public Laws 97-46 and 97-146

ENCOURAGES SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

Establishes a computerized database containing DNA profiles of criminals convicted of violent and sexual offenses; this DNA database will be compatible with FBI and other databases to create a national combined DNA identification index system. (98 H7184 as amended and 98 S 2276 Sub A) Public Laws 98-33 and 98-120
Creates a system of graduated driver’s licenses for youth, applicable to all persons who reach sixteen on or after January 1, 1999. (98 S 2151 Sub A as amended and 98 H 7464 Sub B) Public Law 98-371 and 98-386
Strengthens the mandatory seat belt law and sets a $30 fine for not wearing a seat belt. (98S 3096 Sub A as amended) Public Law 98-36
Expands the requirement to install smoke detectors to include mobile homes and rooming houses built before June 1976 and requires the owner to install the smoke detector before the property is transferred to a new owner or as the result of an inspection. (98 S 2644) Public Law 98-63

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